Tamil film industry

The ancient techniques of story telling and shadow play and to speechless black and white films, the Tamil film industry had gone a very long way. But today, sitting comfortably in a cushioned chair watching those big screens at the multiplexes came alive with myriad colors and voices booming out of colossal speakers with DTS effect, the past achievements seem small. The Tamil film industry celebrates the year – 2007- 75 years of its impressive existence.

The first Tamil Movie was made by Nataraja R. Mudaliar. He learned the tricks of cinematography at Pune and became the official cinematographer of Lord Curzon’s 1903 durbar. He set up a studio on Miller's Road, Keelpakam with a second hand camera and financial help from S M Dharmalingam. ‘Keechaka Vadham’made by him inter-titled in Tamil, Hindi and English and ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharanam’ featuring an Anglo-Indian actress, Marian Hill, as Draupadi. His studio was burnt down in 1923 and his son died, prompting him to retire.

Then came Raja P. K. Sandow (1894-1942). A passionate gymnast, he started his career as a stunt actor in S W Patankara's National Film. Silent movies were made by him in Bombay. Movie ‘Veer Bhemsean’ made him famous and he came to Tamil Nadu and made many movies based on social reforms. He become Directing his 1st film, ‘Anaadhai Penn’, with R Padmanabhan, he embarked on a series of reformist social movies. He made the story of an untouchable Hindu Saint ‘Nandhanar’. 'Raja Sandow Award' was awarded to him for best movies, in memory of him.

An actress, producer and the first Tamil woman director was T P Rajalakshmi .She learnt dance and and made her stage debut under the tutelage of Sankaradas Swamigal, considered the father of modern Tamil theatre. She directed the movie ‘Miss Kamala’ (based on her first novel) and earned recognition as the first woman director of the Tamil film industry in 1936. She also acted in Sandow's ‘Usha Sundari’ and ‘Rajeswari’.

Tamil movies have set the cash counters ringing. Many have ‘masala’ stuff and many others titillated an insatiable audience. But a few movies trends for many to follow, the impact on movie makers and the public being equally great. These trendsetters were a result of a good story line combined with brilliantand good direction and acting.  Such trendsetters were created not by veterans but by graduating from film institutes and farms! These movies pulled them in by the droves when the masses stopped flocking to the theatres

Tamil film industry average annual film output in the has risen steadily in the 20th century accounts for approximately 1 per cent of the gross domestic product of Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu government has made provision for entertinement tax exemption for Tamil movies having pure Tamil words in the title.

Tamil cinema’s glorious existence is being celebrated in a manner all over the world with star nights and award functions in Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, US, Japan and many more countries all through this year. The kick started on August 6, 2007, in the hometown of the Tamil film industry, Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. With cultural events, competition, debates and discussions, star nights and award ceremonies, it would be a year to remember…